The Backus Auxiliary is a volunter organization with a mission of supporting and fundraising for Backus Hospital.

CAMISOLES

CANTEEN

The four vending machine refreshment facilities within the hospital, which contribute substantial income towards the Auxiliary’s annual budget. Hospital patients, visitors, and employees find a wide variety of beverages and snacks available in the Canteens, located along the main corridor (near the Gift Shop), adjacent to the Emergency Services waiting area, Same Day Surgery waiting area, and the Birthing Center.

CURECHIEFS / TURBANS / PEDIATRIC CAPS

The Auxiliary provides curechiefs and turbans, hand-sewn head dressings for those patients who have chemotherapy treatments. Additionally, the Auxiliary also supplies colorful surgical caps to pediatric patients in the Same Day Surgery area.

FILE OF LIFE

During 2009-2010, File of Life packets were distributed at AARP Driver Safety classes, our Gift Shop, and in response to individual telephone requests as well as at programs presented at AARP and Senior Center meetings. Requests were also received from the Cardiac Rehab program here at the hospital and from community organizations.

GIFT SHOP

The Auxiliary Gift Shop at Backus continues to be a success, both as a fund-raiser for the Auxiliary and as a source of cards, candy, flowers and other merchandise for hospital visitors, patients and staff. In 2010, the Auxiliary opened a branch at the Backus Outpatient Care Center (BOCC) on Salem Turnpike. The Gift Shop at the hospital is open seven days a week. Both shops are staffed primarily by volunteers and new volunteers are always needed. Anyone who might be interested should contact Candy Gioia, Shop Manager at 860-889-8331, ext. 2265.

TRAY FAVORS

At each holiday throughout the year, the Tray Favors Committee provides hospitalized patients with a creative favor for their dining trays. Contributors to this program include Project Outreach at the Norwich Free Academy, RSVP Sprague Senior Smilers, St.
Jude Commons, Rose City Senior Center, and Delta Kappa Gamma.

VENDOR SALES

Throughout the year, the Auxiliary sponsors vendors who offer a variety of goods to employees and visitors at sales held on designated Fridays in the hospital’s conference rooms. Recent vendors have sold handbags and wallets, jewelry, wearing apparel, skin products, food items and art work. Proceeds help to fulfill the Auxiliary’s commitment to the hospital.